Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--NAGICO Insurances has donated EC $75,000 in the form of vouchers to the Dominica Social Welfare Committee to assist in the relief efforts following the catastrophic passing of Tropical Storm Erika last week.
The storm left a number of persons dead, several injured and scores of families homeless. In a meeting with the Dominica Social Welfare Committee on Tuesday, NAGICO Junior Marketing Manager Lisa Brown-McKay announced that the company would donate the funds in the form of vouchers that will go directly to the victims. This is being organised and coordinated in collaboration with the Welfare Department.
"We have partnered with a few supermarkets and department stores which will allow persons with a NAGICO voucher to come in and get items at no charge to them, based on the limit on the voucher," she said. "We are cognisant that at this time people have various needs and with this effort we are trying to offer immediate assistance. However, I would like to caution that these vouchers can only be used for necessities following a disaster, such as food, toiletries, clothing, etc."
A list will be provided by the Welfare Department on receipt of the voucher.
NAGICO Insurances Group of Companies Chairman Imran McSood Amjad said the insurance company was saddened at the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika.
"Dominica is not only part of our group, it is a part of our family," he said. "We have several staff, friends, families, agents, brokers and clients living there and we have been operating in Dominica for over 20 years, so this has hit close to home for us."
The Welfare Committee Chairman thanked NAGICO Insurances for its corporate citizenship, especially at a time when it is greatly needed. "We have done our assessments so far and right now we have nine priority areas that we have classified as special disaster areas and five others of concern," he said. "We are truly grateful for the support from NAGICO, as this will go a long way to help us with our efforts."
The monies will be distributed in the form of vouchers that will be distributed by the Social Welfare Committee and can be used at select supermarkets and department stores to be advised by the department.
"We encourage other businesses and partners to come on board as we try to bring restoration back to the community as soon as possible," Amjad said. "In addition to this donation our staff has set up an internal Dominica Relief Drive throughout our organisation at all our locations in our other 18 territories in the Caribbean.
"This fund is geared at providing further assistance to those affected by Tropical Storm Erika. We know that it will not be able to replace the loss and pain caused by this devastating storm, but it is a first step to creating some sense of normalcy in this troubling time. Our prayers continue to be with the people of Dominica and their families."
